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Diversity, Inclusion & Welcoming Events

 

 

 

Start Date Title Description Tags
Dec 11, 2024 11:30 AM Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester, in partnership with Griot Arts and Barbershop Talks, invite the community to the next installment of the Equity Alliance Equity Series. This in-person event, titled Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester, will take place on Wednesday, December 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Chateau Theatre. The program will feature a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Nicole Asong Nfonoyim-Hara. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement')
Nov 23, 2024 01:30 PM Community Upstanding - Townhall One This week’s program effort is focused on Community Upstander Training and will feature Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership from Viterbo University. Thibodeau is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member focused on ethical life, serving the common good, and addressing homelessness. ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'NAACP')
Nov 16, 2024 10:00 AM NAACP Rochester Branch Elections In accordance with the 2024 National NAACP Election Procedures, the election date was chosen during the Rochester Branch’s August 16 General Membership Meeting. Since then, and with guidance and oversight from the National NAACP, the Rochester Branch established the Branch Nominating Committee in September and the Election Supervisory Committee in October. ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'governance')
Nov 13, 2024 12:00 PM Equity Alliance Equity Series - Power of Community Benefits Agreement In this episode, we look at best practices to both understand the power of community benefits agreements and how to begin strong campaigns to secure community benefits agreements if the policy is fitting to the needs of the community. ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship', 'key', 'latino')
Nov 08, 2024 08:00 AM FREC 2024 Annual Overcoming Racism Conference Morning keynote speakers: Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs and Rev. Pamela Ngunjiri Afternoon breakout workshops ('rps', 'community engagement', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity')
Nov 02, 2024 05:00 PM Rochester Branch of the NAACP, 2024 Freedom Fund Banquet - Let Freedom Ring Featured Entertainment and Performers: • Patricia Lacy-Aiken Renowned vocalist Patricia Lacy-Aiken, who is a seasoned vocalist with Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness, and who had a decade – long global tour with Luther Vandross as a backup singer. • LaSonya Natividad and Madison Parish Ensemble Rochester’s own LaSonya Natividad accompanied by the Madison Parish Ensemble will grace the stage, captivating audience with unique blend of jazz, blues, and a sprinkle of R&B, reflecting deep musical roots and diverse influences. • Heart & Soul Drum Academy The talented youth of the Heart & Soul Drum Academy will deliver an energetic performance of African Djembe drumming and dance, led by founder Baba Jesse Buckner. Their captivating performance showcases the beauty of culture and the power of the arts in empowering young people and community. ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'openbeam')
Nov 02, 2024 02:00 PM Journie: Selma Movie Screening and Discussions Join us for a film exploring the history of voting rights, followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives from the DFL and GOP. It's a great opportunity to learn and engage in important conversations about this vital topic. Don't miss it! Journie is a nonpartisan organization committed to educating our communities about historical facts, youth development through lived experience, political agendas, resources, and the advancement of marginalized groups. ('diversity', 'governance')
Nov 01, 2024 05:00 PM Journie: Selma Movie Screening and Discussions Join us for a film exploring the history of voting rights, followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives from the DFL and GOP. It's a great opportunity to learn and engage in important conversations about this vital topic. Don't miss it! Journie is a nonpartisan organization committed to educating our communities about historical facts, youth development through lived experience, political agendas, resources, and the advancement of marginalized groups. ('diversity', 'governance')
Oct 30, 2024 05:30 PM Financial Liberation Workshop Financial Literacy, Credit Counseling, Leadership, Coaching, Personal Finance ('NAACP', 'education', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 29, 2024 02:00 PM Free Speech vs. Hate Speech: Understanding the Boundaries and Building Resilient Communities Cohosts: Winona State, RCTC: This timely event will feature two key sessions aimed at exploring the balance between free speech and hate speech, as well as the impacts of hate on marginalized communities. We will be moderating the discussions. ('diversity', 'civic engagement')
Oct 26, 2024 01:00 PM Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery MN African American History ('diversity',)
Oct 18, 2024 04:00 PM Asian Pacific Minnesotans Leadership Awards Dinner We the People: 40 Years of empowering Asian Pacific Minnesotans ('diversity', 'Asian')
Oct 14, 2024 12:00 PM Indigenous Peoples Day ('diversity',)
Oct 09, 2024 12:00 PM Equity Alliance Equity Series Equity Eats: Reviving Roots, Restoring Ecosystem Economies Through Indigenous Foodways In this episode we will delve into the transformative mission of the mnfoodrescue.org Equity Eats initiatives that are at the forefront of restoring and promoting regenerative food systems across Minnesota. We explore how the initiatives revive Indigenous foodways, grounded in food web design, while also honoring the rich Indigenous history in Minnesota and the First Nations' right to food sovereignty. By ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'latino', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 07, 2024 04:00 PM SBDC: Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration The celebration will consist of: The first networking event for Spanish speaking small business owners Resource tables/Spanish speaking representatives from organizations in town that provide resources for Spanish speaking small business owners An introduction to the organizations that made the event possible An introduction to the instructors and their affiliations (SBDC, ACHLA Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans) and the SBA) Certificates awarded to the small business owners who participated in our workshops ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 04, 2024 07:00 PM ICAM: Garba & DANDIA Night For the First Time in Rochester - ICAM presents Eight Person Music Band from Gujarat to get you dancing the night away at the Garba and Dandiya Dance Festival of India! Garba is a dance that honors, worships, and celebrates the feminine form of divinity. ('Culture', 'Diversity', 'community')
Oct 04, 2024 05:30 PM 2024 IMAA Presents Pearl Gala Celebrate IMAA’s 40th anniversary and support our mission. Become a Partner in Empowering, Advancing & Redefining Lives by joining us at our annual fundraising event. Be a part of the inspiring journey, where together, we create a future of empowerment, beauty, and value for all. ('diversity', 'imaa', 'community', 'immigrant', 'CMRC')
Sep 28, 2024 05:00 PM C.E.R.T. 3rd Annual Gala Please join us in celebrating dedicated Community members that have rendered outstanding services and support to our Community. ('public safety', 'Diversity', 'cmrc', 'civic engagement')
Sep 26, 2024 05:00 PM The Power of Your Story A Mental Health Workshop for Youth ('mental health', 'diversity', 'youth', 'openbeam', 'united way')
Sep 21, 2024 03:00 PM NAACP: Break The Hate – Community Forum To Activate Change To further this effort, we are launching a community empowerment initiative symbolizing the triumph of love over hatred and racism, with more details to be shared in the coming weeks. ('diversity', 'NAACP')
Document Actions

Two types of event information being shared in the following:

1. A list of Beam aware upcoming community events of all types. 

2. A list of noteworthy past events that have one or more of the following contents: presentation slides, video recordings as well as takeaways. 

Upcoming Events
Healthy Brain Workshop 5: Food as Medicine Aug 17, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — 125 Live
Townhall: Getting Around Town Aug 20, 2026 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM — John Marshall High School cafeteria (1510 14th St. NW)
Sep 2026 RPS Family Engagement Sep 08, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM — Virtual
Healthy Brain Workshop 6: Movement for Brain Health - Including QiGong Sep 21, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — 125 Live
America: 250 and Beyond Oct 24, 2026 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM — Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake
NCRC - Faith & Community Expos Oct 29, 2026 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM — Rochester International Event Center
Upcoming events…
Community News

This panel displays the latest community news. For a standalone view please click this LINK.



SBDC Rochester, Spring 2025

Sep 2026: Small Business Support Series

SBDC Apr 2025 Business Workshops...SBDC Day and workshop opportunities: "If you have an upcoming business event or celebration, please let us know! We would love to stop by for a RIBBON CUTIING for any of your business." milestones:

 

Last Updated August 14, 2026



Homelessness: Street Medicine, The TABLE and Any Path Home

Aug 14, 2026: Mayo Clinic Street Medicine

Mar 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance

 

Last Updated August 14, 2026



Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Barriers Study

Aug 10, City Council Study Session: Equitable Economic Development

Apr 2025 City Council Study Session:  (1) DBE Study Session to City Council April 17, 2023 , (2) Memo to DMCC Board; 

Last Updated August 13, 2026



OpenBeam events log

Aug 2026 Notable Beam Events Log: Topics Include: Q2 Real Estate Stats; Workforce Housing & Regional Workforce Trends; Building Trust in an Age of Skepticism; Land Use Revenue Analysis; Tax Increment Financial Studies

Last Updated August 13, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Aug 10, 2026 Study Session: Video, Presentation, Reports

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation; Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated August 11, 2026



2026 City of Rochester: 2020 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Updates

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session :The accompanying reports and presentation demonstrate how departments are integrating equity into their everyday work.   

Last Updated August 09, 2026



CHATEAU THEATRE OPERATING ANALYSIS UPDATE

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session  Council to review planning-level capital investment needs identified through both the City’s facility assessment and the Legends Global operating analysis.

Last Updated August 09, 2026



Air Quality News

Aug 2026: Rochester Air Quality Alliance Marks Mid-Year Progress on Community Air Quality Initiatives

Sep 2025: The City of Rochester is offering another set of workshops to help residents improve indoor air quality, reduce utility costs, and enhance housing safety.

Last Updated August 07, 2026



Community Health Improvement Plan Priorities and Updates

2027 - 2029 Health Planning Improvement Priorities

2026 CHNA Newsletters: Jul 2026Jan 2026, 

2025 Newsletters: Admin Message, Oct 2025 Newsletter 

Ref: PB Report

Last Updated July 23, 2026



Housing as an Element of America's City for Health

Jul 2026: PB reporting -- Downtown population and housing boom

Sep 2025: DMC Housing Presentation at Rochester Housing Alliance September, 2025 Meeting 

  • Video Recording
  • Presentation Slides

Last Updated July 21, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Jul 2026: AARP Tech and Agining 

Mar 2026:Tech Enabled Aging In Place Talks Postings

Oct 2025 AI Summary of Dave Beal's PB Op Ed: "Include older adults in Rochester's Plans"

Last Updated July 20, 2026



Lifestyle Wellness

Jul 2026: Brain Health Series Workshops

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

Last Updated July 17, 2026



Sports Complex Phase 2 - Indoor Facilities

Jul 13, 2026: City Council Study Session - Funding Options for Indoor Phase 2 

Apr 27, 2026 City Council Study Session Community Engagement Rochester Regional Sports Center, Stadium & Sports Fields

Last Updated July 14, 2026



RPS Long Term Technology Plan

July 7, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: The Long Range Technology Plan (LRTP) serves as a comprehensive roadmap, defining the strategic direction for technology deployment and technical support within the district over the next three to five years.

Last Updated July 10, 2026



America's City for Health (ACH)

Jul 2026 PB Op Ed on America's City for Health and Wellness 

May 2026: DMC University Trademark Handling -The DMCC holds several DMC-related trademarks, including “Destination Medical Center,” “Discovery Square,” and “America’s City for Health.” 

References: Reimagine what can be done to fulfill the vision of ACH -- info LINKS

Last Updated July 09, 2026



Silver Lake Stadium Concept

The Rochester City Council has unanimously approved a six-month exclusive negotiation agreement with Madison-based Landmark Development to explore a potential sports-focused redevelopment of the Silver Lake Power Plant site.

Last Updated July 08, 2026



Mayo Clinic Bold. Forward. Unbound.Grainger Linear Park

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Lourdes Grainger Linear Park The project involves the construction of a 30-foot linear park

Last Updated July 07, 2026



Peace Plaza paver adjustment plan

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Meeting Paver Improvement

2025: City Council Study Session PB Reporting; DMCC Board Meeting Proceedings; Public Media Reporting: Post Bulleting, Star Tribune

 

Last Updated July 07, 2026



Sherman Mixed Housing Mayo Civic Center Parking Lot

July 6, 2026: City Council Meeting - Extension of agreement

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Status Update

June 3, 2024 City Council Meeting 

Council action is requested to continue development negotiations with Sherman Associates and conditionally approve development assistance of up to $13,000,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance and up to $3,000,000 in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid.  

Last Updated July 06, 2026



Rochester Transit Contract Award

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Meeting: Action Requested: Adopting a Resolution awarding a contract and facilities lease with Via Transit Twin Cities LLC for operating Rochester's public transportation system.

Last Updated July 06, 2026